Children of the Fallen: In Cold Blood (BOOK #2)

Chapter 24: Happy Fucking Birthday

Morgan Sinclair

I already hate my birthday, I hate it even more that it's during Ascension. I think I've been drunk since I woke up and yet I'm still not nearly as drunk as I want to be. A pitfall of vampirism is our insanely high tolerance for alcohol and drugs, and as a full blood it's even worse. I quickly went through Scarletts tequila gift that I woke up to sitting on my nightstand, I even smoked with Bash before this party started hoping it'll help. A little but not enough. I think I sobered up midway through with all his questions about Scarlett.

When I enter through the ballrooms doors in a slight intoxicated haze, silence falls upon the room for a brief moment before clapping erupts from the guests along with scattered happy birthdays.

Why the fuck are we clapping? I was born, that's not worthy of applause, I didn't do anything. Normally I live for this shit. All eyes on me watching my every move, waiting with bated breath for what I'm about to do or say, hell, even the applause- but not today.

I fake a smile as I make my through everyone towards the bar. The insincere thank you's and smiles took a lot out of me. Kendrick of course says nothing to me, as do all of his children. Even Chloe, only glares at me from across the room. I don't even know where Kellan is right now, he's somewhere wallowing in his uncontrollable rage, cursing the day I was ever born.

Scarlett, grinning ear to ear saunters over to me with more of a pep in her step. "Fix your hair Scarlett."

"Oh God." She sighs combing her fingers through her obvious sex hair.

"Who'd you fuck?" I sip my straight vodka poured like water into the glass.

"Samson." She says in an excited whisper.

I actually widen my eyes in shock. She's shocked me. I for sure thought it would've been Bash. "Really?" I say my eyes scanning the room for him. I find Samson talking to one of Fleur's sons- looking him up and down quick, she did good. The about 6'2" man with an Australian accent- his suit accentuates his well muscled body, salt and pepper hair and beard, tanned skin, and piercing green eyes. He's truly beautiful.

"Oh yeah." She grins wildly picking up her drink.

"How was he?" I ask curiously.

She bites her bottom lip for a moment. "He's what, like 7,000 years old or something?"

"I think so, he's one of the older ones."

"7,000 years, he's learned a thing or two. Scratch that... many things."

I chuckle. "Damn." I raise my glass to her, "Congrats." I say clinking our glasses together.

She sips her drink quickly and her eyes widen as if she just remembered something. "Where are we going tonight?" Oh that's what she remembered.

Instantly I'm hyper aware of how far I am from my preferred level of intoxication. "I don't know. Why don't you guys pick, I have to deal with something then I'll meet you guys wherever." I down the rest of my drink in two gulps.

"What do you have to deal with?"

"Nothing of your concern." I say and she does a quick once over at me, reading me. My father beckons for me to come to him with a slight movement of his head and I've never been more thankful for an out before Scarlett could scrutinize me any more. "I'll be right back." I place my empty glass on the bar top.

I go to where my father is at the head of the long table in the front of the room. Victoria stands at his side giving me a look that's somehow a combination of 'happy birthday' and 'sorry, I know you'd rather be anywhere else.' As soon as I get there he snaps his fingers at a servant- her eyes widen immensely and she rushes over with her tray of drinks. He takes one of the filled champagne glasses, handing it to me.